Cable management panel with sliding drawer and methods

ABSTRACT

An optical fiber cable management panel includes drawer assemblies, each including a drawer slidable within a chassis. The drawer assemblies are secured together by a bracket that includes an interlock arrangement with the chassis. Such an interlock arrangement includes a non-threaded stud engaging a hole. Radius limiters may be part of the drawer assembly and include a cable entry aperture have a closed perimeter and a flared cable guide surface around most of, and preferably all of, the closed perimeter to allow for the entry of cables from all directions. A control mechanism controls movement of the radius limiter relative to the drawer assembly. The control mechanism includes a rotating member that has an axis of rotation transverse to the slidable motion of the radius limiter and normal to the radius limiter.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure concerns management of optical fiber cables. Inparticular, this disclosure relates to storage of optical fiber cablesand devices in the telecommunications industry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cable termination, splice, and storage devices are known including, forexample, devices shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,792,203 and 5,946,440, bothassigned to ADC Telecommunications, Inc. Both of these patents concerndevices with movable trays for storage and management of the opticalfiber cables. U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,149, also assigned to ADCTelecommunications, concerns a cable management device includingslidable drawers, each including a cable slack take-up mechanism. Whenmoving the trays or drawers, unnecessary or excessive displacement ofthe optical fiber cables is undesirable. As the optical fiber cables aredisplaced, they are subject to bending and other forces. Bending of thefibers can cause attenuation and loss of signal strength. As the fiberbends, the fiber can also break, resulting in a loss of transmissionthrough the fiber. Improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the disclosure describes a radius limiter for an opticalfiber cable management panel. The radius limiter includes a frame piecehaving a vertically oriented curved wall and a trough section adjacentto the curved wall. A cover member is oriented at least partially overthe trough section. The cover member and the frame piece define a cableentry aperture having a closed perimeter. The cable entry aperture is incommunication with the trough section to permit cables to enter throughthe aperture and rest within the trough section. Further, at least 75%of the perimeter of the cable entry aperture is circumscribed by aflared cable guide surface.

A method of limiting a radius of optical fiber cables is provided andincludes directing optical fiber cables through a cable entry apertureand against a flared cable guide surface of a cover. The cover isoriented at least partially over a trough section of a frame piece thatis part of a radius limiter.

In another aspect, this disclosure concerns an optical fiber cablemanagement system including at least first and second drawer assemblies.Each of the drawer assemblies includes a chassis and a drawer slidablymounted within the chassis. A mounting bracket is provided to connecttogether the first drawer assembly and the second drawer assemblythrough an interlock arrangement. The mounting bracket also is usable toconnect together more than two drawer assemblies. The interlockarrangement includes non-threaded stud members and holes sized forreceiving the non-threaded stud members.

A method of connecting a first drawer assembly to a second drawerassembly includes securing a bracket to the chassis of the first drawerassembly and the chassis of the second drawer assembly by inserting anon-threaded stud arrangement into an aperture arrangement.

In another aspect, this disclosure is directed to an optical fiber cablemanagement panel including a drawer assembly, including a drawerslidably mounted within a chassis, a cable radius limiter slidablymounted relative to the drawer assembly, and a control mechanism securedto the drawer assembly to synchronize slidable movement of the cableradius limiter relative to slidable movement of the drawer within thechassis. The control mechanism includes a rotating member oriented torotate between the drawer and the chassis. The rotating member has anaxis of rotation that is transverse to a direction of slidable movementof the cable radius limiter.

A method for controlling slidable movement of a cable radius limiterrelative to slidable movement of a drawer within a chassis includesrotating a wheel, secured to the cable radius limiter, between thedrawer and the chassis. The wheel has an axis of rotation that isoriented normally to the cable radius limiter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable management panel, depicting twodrawers and without tray inserts;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a radius limiter utilized in the cablemanagement panel depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the radius limiter depicted in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the radius limiter depicted inFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the radius limiter depictedin FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cover utilized on the radius limiterof FIG. 2 and showing a cover on the radius limiter pivoted to allowaccess to a trough in the radius limiter;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a cover for the radius limiter depicted inFIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the cover depicted in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a right elevational view of the cover depicted in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the cable management paneldepicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a schematic, partially cross-sectional view of the cablemanagement panel depicted in FIG. 1, the cross-section being taken alongthe line 11—11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bracket utilized to secure togetherthe drawers of the cable management panel depicted in FIGS. 1 and 10;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a chassis that is part of a drawerassembly utilized in the cable management panel depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the chassis of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the cable management panel depicted inFIG. 1, and with one of the drawers in a fully open position and withone drawer in a partially open position;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the cable management paneldepicted in FIG. 15, and with a portion broken away to show internalcomponents;

FIG. 17 is an exploded, perspective view of one of the drawer assembliesdepicted in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the cable management panel depicted inFIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of the cable managementpanel taken along the line 19—19 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a wheel bracket utilized in the cablemanagement panel depicted in FIGS. 1 and 15-19; and

FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of the wheel bracket depicted in FIG.20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A cable management panel or module is depicted in FIG. 1 generally at30. In the one shown, the panel 30 includes a plurality of drawerassemblies 32. In the one shown in FIG. 1, the panel 30 includes twodrawer assemblies 32. Each of the drawer assemblies 32 includes achassis 34 and a drawer 36 slidably mounted within the chassis 34.

Each drawer 36 may include cable management structure, for example,devices for storing the cables or connecting the cables to other cablesor fiber optic devices, such as attenuators, couplers, switches, wavedivision multiplexers, splitters or splices. Drawers 36 are slidablerelative to chassis 34 by way of two drawer slides 38 on opposite sidesof the chassis 34. Each drawer 36 includes two latches 40 to secure thedrawer 36 in a closed position (the position shown in FIG. 1).

Each drawer 36 includes a base 42, a front wall 44 and a rear wall 46.Note that the drawer 36 is absent of side walls, or is “side wall-free.”This structure allows for cable entry and exit and prevents cable damageduring sliding movement of the drawers 36 when accessing the cables andconnectors or other devices in the drawer 36. The base 42, front wall 44and rear wall 46 together define a storage interior 48 for holding andstoring the cables.

Each storage interior 48 is sized for receiving cable management and/ordistribution structures. When the drawer 36 is in the closed position,the cables and management or distribution structures in the storageinterior 48 are protected. In preferred embodiments, the distributionstructures can be conveniently mounted on a tray insert that drops intothe storage interior 48. This allows for convenient structuring of thedrawer 36 to serve one or more desired functions in the panel 30.Examples of tray inserts are described in co-pending and commonlyassigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/649,398, which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/490,379 (also co-pendingand commonly assigned), each of which is incorporated by referenceherein. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, each of the drawers 36is constructed to be stackable and linkable to form sub-cable managementpanels 31. Such modularity also allows for ease of use for a variety ofdifferent needs for the cable management system. As can be seen in FIG.1, a bracket 50 is used to link each of the drawer assemblies 32together. A perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the bracket50 is illustrated in FIG. 12

In prior arrangements, mounting brackets were attached to the sidechassis with each drawer with several screws, for example, #4-40 UNCscrews. It was found that if drawers connected together in this mannerwere dropped, the bracket would become loose from the drawers, leadingto wobble between drawers in a multiple drawer assembly. Further, whenthe drawers would be opened, there sometimes would be rubbing andscraping if the drawers were loose from the bracket. The bracket 50, asdescribed herein, addresses these problems.

In particular, the mounting bracket 50 connects together each of thedrawer assemblies 32 through an interlock arrangement 52. In preferredembodiments, the interlock arrangement 52 includes at least one, andpreferably a plurality, of non-threaded stud members 54 located in oneof the mounting bracket 50 and the chassis 34. Further, the interlockarrangement 52 includes at least one, and preferably a plurality, ofapertures or holes 56 sized for receiving the non-threaded stud members54. The plurality of holes 56 are defined by the other of the mountingbracket 50 and the chassis 34.

In the particular embodiment illustrated, the interlock arrangement 52includes two non-threaded stud members 54 projecting from the chassis 34(see FIGS. 13-14). The stud members 54 may be formed from the chassis 34itself (by punching or forming), or may be independent memberspermanently secured to the chassis 34. In this illustrated embodiment,the interlock arrangement 54 includes at least 4 holes being defined bythe mounting bracket 50, receiving each of the non-threaded stud members54 of each of the chassis 34. These holes 56 are visible in FIGS. 10 and12.

In general, the bracket 50 includes first and second mounting plates 60,61 arranged generally orthogonal to each other. The first mounting plate60 is utilized for securing each of the chassis 34 together. The secondmounting plate 61 is used to mount each of the drawer assemblies 32together along other framework, typically together with other cablemanagement panels 30. Each of the holes 56 is defined by and extendscompletely through the first mounting plate 60. The first mounting plate60 also includes several more holes 62 for accommodating screws 64, asused in prior arrangements, to help secure each of the drawer assemblies32 together to the bracket 50.

The chassis 34 is illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. It can be seen thateach chassis generally is an L-shaped frame piece 66 and, in addition tothe non-threaded studs 54 projecting from the frame piece 66, defines aplurality of holes 68 for accommodating the screws 64.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the bracket 50 secured toone of the chassis 34. Two of the studs 54 can be seen in cross-sectionextending through two of the holes 56. This interlock arrangement 52provides the cable management panel 30 with more strength and rigiditythan prior arrangements that utilized screws. The interlock arrangement52 helps to absorb the impact and thrust loading created by a dropscenario, by vibration, or by an earthquake.

While non-threaded stud members 54 are illustrated in the preferredembodiment, it should be understood that, in alternate arrangements,pins may also be used. Further, in other embodiments, the interlockarrangement 52 may include a tab/slot arrangement, where a tab projectsinto and is bent over a slot.

Preferably, each of the drawer assemblies 32 includes a take-upmechanism 70 to manage optical fibers entering and exiting the cablemanagement panel 30. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, eachtake-up mechanism 70 includes a push member or radius limiter 72. Inreference now to FIG. 2, one preferred embodiment of radius limiter 72is illustrated in perspective view. In the preferred one shown, theradius limiter 72 includes a frame piece 74. The frame piece 74 includesa vertically oriented curved wall 76 and a trough section 78 adjacent tothe vertically curved wall 76. In particular, the trough section 78 isdefined by a second vertically oriented wall 80 and a base 82 thatbridges the vertically oriented wall 80 and the curved wall 76 (see FIG.3). As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the curved wall 76 is concavelyshaped relative to the trough section 78. As can also be seen in FIG. 3,the trough section 78 also has a curved shape. In preferred embodiments,the curved shape of the trough section 78 is on a radius of about 1.25-2in.

Still in reference to FIG. 2, the preferred radius limiter 72 shownincludes a cover member 84. Preferably, the cover member 84 is orientedat least partially over the trough section 78. The cover member 84 andthe frame piece 74 define a cable entry aperture 86 that is incommunication with the trough section 78 to permit cables to enterthrough the aperture 86 and rest within the trough section 78.

The cable entry aperture 86 defines a closed perimeter 88. By “closedperimeter”, it is meant that the border that forms the aperture 86 is atleast 90%, preferably 100%, closed to form a continuous, uninterruptedboundary. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, at least 75%,preferably at least 95%, and in most preferred embodiments, 100% of theperimeter 88 of the cable entry aperture 86 is circumscribed by a flaredcable guide surface 90. The flared cable guide surface 90 preferablytakes the form of a smooth, contour 92, such that the cable entryaperture 86 has the appearance of a trumpet flare or a bell-mouth 94.The smooth contour 92 preferably is bent on a radius of about 0.25-0.75in. The flared cable guide surface 90 helps to protect cables enteringthe cable entry aperture 86 and prevents such cables from bending toosharply and possibly losing some light transmission.

As can be seen particularly in FIGS. 2 and 5, the preferred embodimenthas the entire perimeter 88 of the cable entry aperture 86 to includethe flared cable guide surface 90. When shaped in this manner, the cableentry aperture 86 protects cables entering from any direction, includingfrom a direction vertically above the radius limiter 72.

In reference now to FIGS. 6-9, features of the cover member 84 aredefined. Preferably, the cover member 84 includes a finger 96. Thefinger 96 includes an extension 97 that defines a first free edge 98 anda second free edge 99. A stem 102 extends between the extension 97 andan attachment portion 104. As can be seen in FIGS. 6-9, the first freeedge 98 defines a portion of the flared guide surface 90. The secondfree edge 99 selectively engages the vertically oriented wall 76 of theframe piece 74 through a latch arrangement 106 (FIGS. 2 and 4).Preferably, the latch arrangement 106 includes a hook and projectionarrangement 108, where a hook from one of the finger 96 and frame piece74 engages a projection from the other of the finger 96 and frame piece74. In the particular arrangement illustrated, the latch arrangement 106includes the finger 96 having a hook 110 defining an aperture 111,through which a projection 112 extending or projecting from thevertically oriented curved wall 76 of the frame piece 74 is defined. Ascan be appreciated, the latch arrangement 106 permits the finger 96 tobe releasably secured to the frame piece 74. Together with theattachment portion 104, explained below, this latch arrangement 106permits the finger 96 to be selectively moved from, and pivoted at theattachment portion 104, from the frame piece 74 to permit theinstallation of cables through the cable entry aperture 86 and into thetrough section 78.

The attachment portion 104 helps to pivotally secure the finger 96 tothe frame piece 74. In reference to FIGS. 6 and 8, in the preferredembodiment, the attachment portion 104 includes a pair of extruding tabs114, 116, projecting from the extension 97. The tabs 114, 116 aresnapped around a member 75 within the frame piece 74 of the radiuslimiter 72 in a manner which allows the frame piece 74 to securely holdthe finger 96 and permit the finger 96 to be selectively pivoted awayfrom and then back toward the trough section 78 (see FIG. 6), along ahinge point 118.

The latch arrangement 106 provides for a secure interlock between thefinger 96 and the frame piece 74 to prevent unintended bending away ofthe finger 96 from the frame piece 74 if fibers or cables tend to pullit up during manipulation of the drawer assembly 32. In preferredembodiments, the hinge point 118 permits selective lifting of the covermember 84 away from remaining portions of the radius limiter 72 tofacilitate fiber loading.

The cover member 84 may also include a second finger 100 (FIGS. 11 and18). Finger 100, in the one shown, is oriented generally at a rightangle to the finger 96 and is pivotally mounted relative to the frame74. Finger 100 also helps to hold the cables in place within the radiuslimiter 72.

To load cable or fiber into the radius limiter 72, the latch arrangement106 is released to allow the finger 96 to be moved relative to the frame74. The finger 96 is pivoted about the hinge point 118 that defines agap or space through which the cable may enter. If present, the secondfinger 100 is also pivoted away from the frame 74. The cable is thenoriented and rested within the trough section 78. The finger 96 is againoriented against the frame piece 74 to close the gap or space, and thelatch arrangement 106 is secured by having the projection 112 extendinto the aperture 111 of the hook 110. If present, the second finger 100is returned against the frame 74. If cable is being directed from aposition above the radius limiter 72, the cable is resting against theflared cable guide surface 90 defined by the first free edge 98 of thefinger 96. As described above, the flared cable guide surface 90 helpsto prevent the cable from bending too sharply. Further, as explainedabove, the shape of the trough section 78 also controls the radius ofthe cable and prevents it from bending too sharply.

The radius limiter 72 is preferably slidably mounted relative to thedrawer assembly 32. Movement of the radius limiter 72 is controlled withsynchronized movement with the drawer 36 to ensure that the cables donot bend too sharply when the drawer 36 is being opened or closedrelative to the chassis 34. If the cables were bent too sharply, thismay cause loss of signal strength or loss of transmission. Preferably,the cable management panel 30 includes a control mechanism 125 (FIGS.15-19) that is secured to the drawer assembly 32 to synchronize slidablemovement of the cable radius limiter 72 relative to slidable movement ofthe drawer 36 within the chassis 34. In particular, the controlmechanism 125 includes a rotating member 126, such as a roller or wheel128. Preferred wheels 128 will include a compressible ring 129 (FIG. 17)that circumscribes the wheel 128 to help provide for a smooth interfaceand introduce some friction for smooth operation.

Preferably, the wheel 128 is oriented to rotate between the drawer 36and the chassis 34. In most preferred embodiments, the wheel 128 has anaxis of rotation 130 that is transverse to a direction of slidablemovement of the cable radius limiter 72. This is illustrated in FIG. 16.In FIG. 16, the direction of slidable movement of the cable radiuslimiter 72 is shown at arrow 132. In the particular orientation shown inFIG. 16, this direction 132 is a horizontal direction. It is also thedirection that corresponds to the slidable motion of the drawer 36relative to the chassis 34. The axis of rotation 130 extends, in theparticular orientation shown in FIG. 16, in a vertical direction, thatis, the direction transverse to the direction 132 of slidable movementof the radius limiter 72. Also, in the example illustrated, the axis ofrotation 130 is normal (i.e., perpendicular) to the radius limiter 72.By having the wheel 128 rotate about axis 130, which is a directiontransverse to the motion of the radius limiter 72 and normal to theradius limiter 72, there is a reduction in problems associated withassembly during manufacturing. For example, in previous arrangements,the wheel was oriented to have an axis of rotation that extendedparallel to the radius limiter 72. In these prior arrangements, sheetmetal flatness and parallelism had to be carefully controlled because itwas critical to wheel engagement. Further, in these previous systemswhen the wheel had an axis of rotation that was parallel to the radiuslimiter, there was an issue with respect to tolerance stack up. Further,in prior systems, the wheels would push the drawer and its componentsupwards towards the drawer cover due to the orientation of the wheel,which sometimes caused interference problems. By orienting the wheel 128with the axis of rotation 130 in the direction normal to the radiuslimiter, many of these problems are addressed or eliminated alltogether.

In reference now to FIGS. 20-21, in preferred embodiments, the controlmechanism 125 includes a bracket 134 having an axle 136. As can be seenin FIGS. 20 and 21, the wheel 128 is mounted for rotation on the axle136. The axle 136 is co-linear with and defines the axis of rotation130.

Still in reference to FIGS. 20-21, the preferred bracket 134 shownincludes a projection arrangement 138 that allows the bracket 134 to besecured to the cable radius limiter 72. In particular, the projectionarrangement 138 includes a first projection 140 and a second projection142. Each of the first projection 140 and second projection 142 includesa tab 144, 145 that extends or projects into and locks with a suitablereceiving aperture 146, 147 (FIG. 17) in the frame piece 74 of theradius limiter 72. In this manner, the bracket 134 can be secured to theradius limiter 72, and through an elongated slot 150 defined by the base42 of the drawer 36. The slot 150 allows for assembly of the radiuslimiter 72 to the drawer 36.

The bracket 134 also includes a catch 152 projecting from a side and ina direction opposite to the direction that the projection arrangement138 projects. In the one shown, the catch 152 defines one end 154 of thebracket 134. Also, in the particular embodiment illustrated, the firstprojection 140 forms an opposite end 156 of the bracket 134. The catch152 is selectively engaged with a stop member 158 on the chassis 34. Thecatch 152 of the bracket 134 selectively engages the stop member 158when the drawer 36 and the radius limiter 72 are slid relative to thechassis 34. This engagement prevents the drawer 36 from being totallyseparated from the chassis 34 when sliding the drawer 36 from thechassis 34.

In reference again to FIG. 17, the chassis 34 was described above asbeing an L-shaped frame piece 66. In particular, the L-shaped framepiece 66 includes a base 160 that is located in a plane generallyparallel to the base 42 of the drawer, when the drawer assembly 32 is inoperable assembly, and a side wall 162 extending normal to the chassisbase 160. This side wall 162 provides one of the surfaces against whichthe wheel 128 rotates.

Secured to the drawer 36 is a wheel guide 164. The wheel guide 164 is agenerally elongated structural member defining a smooth guide surface165. As can be seen in FIGS. 15 and 17, the wheel guide 164 is adjacentto and generally parallel to the elongated slot 150 in the drawer 36.

In operable assembly, the wheel 128 rotates about its axle 136 betweenand against the guide surface 165 of the wheel guide 164 and the chassisside wall 162. The location of the wheel 128 secured to the radiuslimiter 72 and between the drawer 36 and chassis 34 allows the radiuslimiter 72 to move at one-half of the speed of the movement of thedrawer 36 relative to the chassis 34.

In reference again to FIG. 17, and as mentioned above, each of thedrawer assemblies 32 preferably includes drawer slide 38. The drawerslide 38 is the type of slide that is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,209,572, which is incorporated by reference herein. In general, thedrawer slide 38 includes symmetrically identical outside channel members167, 168 for securing to the drawer 36 and chassis 34, respectively. Aninner retainer 169 slidably retains ball bearings (not shown) that aretrapped between the channel members 168, 169. In operation, when thedrawer 36 is moved relative to the chassis 34, the channel member 167slides relative to the channel member 168 with the ball bearingsrotating between the retainer 169 and the channel members 167, 168 tohelp create smooth, slidable motion.

When the drawer 36 is slid relative to the chassis 34, the wheel 128 isrotated between the drawer 36 and chassis 34 (in particular, between thewheel guide 164 and the side wall 162 of the chassis 34), and the wheel128 is rotated about the axis of rotation 130 that is transverse to thedirection of slidable movement of the cable radius limiter 72, and thatis oriented normally to the radius limiter 72.

The above specification provides a complete description of exampleembodiments of the invention. Many embodiments of the invention can bemade, according to principles described herein.

1. A radius limiter for an optical fiber cable management panel; theradius limiter comprising: (a) a frame piece including a verticallyoriented continuous curved wall; and a continuous trough sectionadjacent to said curved wall; (i) said curved wall being concavelyshaped relative to said trough section; (ii) said trough section beingdefined by a vertically oriented wall and a base; (A) said base bridgingsaid vertically oriented wall and said curved wall; (B) said base beingcontinuous with said vertically oriented wall and said curved wall; (b)a cover member oriented at least partially over the trough section; (i)said cover ember and said frame piece defining a cable entry aperturehaving a closed perimeter; (A) said cable entry aperture being incommunication with said trough sect on to permit cables to enter throughthe aperture and rest within the trough section; (B) all of saidperimeter of said cable entry aperture being circumscribed by a flaredcable guide surface.
 2. A radius limiter according to claim 1 wherein:(a) said cover member includes a finger defining at least one free edge;(i) said free edge defining a portion of said flared guide surface.
 3. Aradius limiter according to claim 2 further including: (a) a latcharrangement releasably securing said finger to said frame piece.
 4. Aradius limiter according to claim 3 wherein: (a) said finger includes asecond free edge selectively engaging said vertically oriented wall ofsaid trough section; (i) said latch arrangement being mounted on saidvertically oriented wall and said second free edge to releasably securesaid finger to said frame piece.
 5. A radius limiter according to claim4 wherein: (a) said finger includes an attachment portion pivotallysecuring said finger to said frame piece.
 6. A method of limiting aradius of optical fiber cables; the method comprising: (a) providing aradius limiter including: (i) a frame piece including a verticallyoriented continuous curved wall; and a continuous trough sectionadjacent to the curved wall; (ii) a cover member oriented at leastpartially over the trough section; (A) the cover member defining atleast a portion of a perimeter of a cable entry aperture; (B) theportion of the perimeter of the cable entry aperture defined by thecover having a flared cable guide surface; (1) all of the perimeter ofthe cable entry aperture being circumscribed by the flared cable guidesurface; (b) directing optical fib r cables through the cable entryaperture and against the flared cable guide surface of the cover member;and (c) after said step of directing, orienting the optical fiber cableswithin the continuous trough section and against the continuous curvedwall.
 7. A method according to claim 6 further including: (a) beforesaid step of directing, pivoting the cover member relative to the framepiece by releasing a latch connection between the cover member and theframe piece.
 8. A method according to claim 7 wherein: (a) said step ofpivoting includes rotating the cover member about a hinge point betweenthe cover ember and the frame piece.
 9. An optical fiber cablemanagement system comprising: (a) a first drawer assembly including afirst chassis and a first drawer slidably mounted within said firstchassis; (i) said first chassis and first drawer defining a firststorage interior; (ii) said first drawer assembly defining a first cableaccess entry to permit optical fiber cable to enter into said firststorage interior; (b) a second drawer assembly including a secondchassis and a second drawer slidably mounted within said second chassis;(i) said second chassis and second drawer defining a second storageinterior; (ii) said second rawer assembly defining a second cable accessentry to permit optical fiber cable to enter into said second storageinterior; and (c) a mounting bracket connecting together at least saidfirst drawer assembly and said second drawer assembly through aninterlock arrangement; (i) said interlock arrangement including: (A) aplurality of non-threaded stud members in one of: (i) said mountingbracket; and (ii) said first and second chassis; and (B) a plurality ofholes sized for receiving said non-threaded stud members; said pluralityof holes being defined by one of (i) said mounting bracket; and (ii)said first and second chassis.
 10. An optical fiber cable managementsystem according to claim wherein: (a) said interlock arrangementincludes: (i) at least two of said non-threaded stud members projectingfrom said first chassis; (ii) at least two of said non-threaded studmembers projecting from said second chassis; and (iii) at least four ofsaid holes defined by said mounting bracket receiving each of thenon-threaded stud members of said first chassis and said second chassis.11. A method of connecting a first drawer assembly to a second drawerassembly in an optical fiber cable management system; the methodcomprising: (a) providing a first an second drawer assembly; the firstdrawer assembly including a first drawer slidably received by a firstchassis; the second drawer assembly including a second rawer slidablyreceived by a second chassis; (i) the first chassis and first drawerdefining a first storage interior for holding optical fiber cable; (ii)the second chassis and second drawer defining a second storage interiorfor holding optical fiber cable; and (b) securing a bracket to the firstchassis and the second chassis by inserting a non-threaded studarrangement into an aperture arrangement.
 12. A method according toclaim 11 wherein: (a) said step of securing includes inserting aplurality of non-threaded studs projecting from each of the firstchassis and the second chassis into a plurality of holes sized toreceive the non-threaded studs defined by the bracket.
 13. An opticalfiber cable management panel comprising: (a) a drawer assembly includinga chassis and a drawer; (i) said drawer being slidably mounted withinsaid chassis; (ii) said drawer assembly defining a storage interior anda first cable access entry to permit optical fiber cable to enter intosaid storage interior; (b) a cable radius limiter slidably mountedrelative to said drawer assembly; and (c) a control mechanism secured tosaid drawer assembly to synchronize slidable movement of said cableradius limiter relative to slidable movement of said drawer within saidchassis; (i) said control mechanism including a rotating member orientedto rotate between said drawer and said chassis; (ii) said rotatingmember having an axis of rotation that is normal to said cable radiuslimiter.
 14. An optical fiber cable management panel according to claim13 wherein: (a) said control mechanism includes a bracket and an axle;(i) said rotating member being mounted for rotation on said axle.
 15. Anoptical fiber cable management panel according to claim 14 wherein: (a)said rotating member includes a wheel.
 16. An optical fiber cablemanagement panel according to claim 15 wherein: (a) said bracketincludes a projection arrangement secured to said cable radius limiter.17. An optical fiber cable management panel according to claim 16wherein: (a) said drawer includes a base defining an elongated slot; (i)said bracket being secured to said cable radius limiter through saidelongated slot.
 18. An optical fiber cable management panel according toclaim 17 wherein: (a) said drawer further includes a wheel guide securedthereto having a guide surface extending normal to said drawer base; (b)said chassis includes a base in a plane generally parallel to saiddrawer base; said chassis further includes a sidewall extending normalto said chassis base; (i) said wheel oriented for rotation between andagainst said guide surface and said chassis sidewall.
 19. An opticalfiber cable management panel according to claim 18 wherein: (a) saidbracket includes a catch; (b) said chassis include a stop member; (i)said catch selectively engaging said stop member when said drawer andsaid radius limiter are slid relative to said chassis.
 20. In an opticalfiber cable management system having a drawer assembly; the drawerassembly including a drawer slidably received by a chassis, a method forcontrolling slidable movement of a cable radius limiter relative toslidable movement of the drawer within the chassis; the methodcomprising: (a) rotating a wheel, secured to the cable radius limiter,between the drawer and the chassis; (i) the wheel having an axis ofrotation that is normal to the cable radius limiter.
 21. A methodaccording to claim 20 wherein: (a) the wheel is mounted on a bracket;the drawer includes a base defining an elongated slot; the racket issecured to the cable radius limiter through the elongated slot; thedrawer further includes a wheel guide surface extending normal to thedrawer base; the chassis includes a base in a plane generally parallelto the drawer base; the chassis further includes a sidewall extendingnormal to the chassis base; and (b) said step of rotating a wheelbetween the drawer and the chassis includes rotating the wheel betweenand against the guide surface and the chassis sidewall.
 22. A radiuslimiter for an optical fiber cable management panel; the radius limitercomprising: (a) a frame piece including a vertically oriented curvedwall; and a trough section adjacent to said curved wall; (i) said curvedall being concavely shaped relative to said trough section; (ii) saidtrough section being defined by a vertically oriented wall and a base;(A) said ase bridging said vertically oriented wall and said curved wall(b) a cover member oriented at least partially over the trough section;(i) said cover member and said frame piece defining a cable entryaperture having a closed perimeter; (A) said cable entry aperture beingin communication with said trough section to permit cables to enterthrough the aperture and rest within the trough section; (B) at least75% of said perimeter of said cable entry aperture being circumscribedby a flared cable guide surface; (C) said cover member including afinger defining at least one free edge; (1) said free edge defining aportion of said flared guide surface; (2) said finger including a secondfree edge selectively engaging said vertically oriented wall of saidtrough section; (c) a latch arrangement releasably securing said fingerto said frame piece; (i) said latch arrangement being mounted on saidvertically oriented wall and said second free edge to releasably securesaid finger to said frame piece; (ii) said finger including anattachment portion pivotally securing said finger to said frame piece;and (A) said attachment portion comprises a pair of tabs projecting fromsaid finger.
 23. A radius limiter according to claim 22 wherein: (a) allof said perimeter of said cable entry aperture is circumscribed by saidflared cable guide surface.
 24. A radius limiter for an optical fibercable management panel; the radius limiter comprising: (a) a frame pieceincluding a vertically oriented curved wall; and a trough sectionadjacent to said curved wall; (i) said curved all being concavely shapedrelative to said trough section; (b) a cover member oriented at leastpartially over the trough section; (i) said cover member and said framepiece defining a cable entry aperture having a closed perimeter; (A)said cable entry aperture being in communication with said troughsection to permit cables to enter through the aperture and rest withinthe trough section; (B) at le st 75% of said perimeter of said cableentry aperture being circumscribed by a flared cable guide surface; (C)said cover member including a finger; (ii) said finger including anattachment portion pivotally securing said finger to said frame piece;and (A) said attachment portion comprises a pair of tabs projecting fromsaid finger.
 25. A radius limiter according to claim 24 wherein: (a)said finger defines at least one free edge; (i) said free edge defininga portion of said flared guide surface.
 26. A radius limiter accordingto claim 25 further including: (a) a latch arrangement releasablysecuring said finger to said frame piece.
 27. A method of limitingradius of optical fiber cables; the method comprising: (a) providing aradius limiter including: (i) a frame piece including a verticallyoriented continuous curved wall; and a continuous trough sectionadjacent to the curved wall; (ii) a cover member oriented at leastpartially over the trough section; (A) the cover member defining atleast a portion of a perimeter of a cable entry aperture; (B) theportion of the perimeter of the cable entry aperture defined by thecover having a flared cable guide surface; (b) pivoting the cover memberrelative to the frame piece by releasing a latch connection between thecover member and the frame piece; (i) the step of pivoting includingrotating the cover member about a hinge point between the cover memberand the frame piece; (A) said step of rotating the cover member about ahinge point includes rotating a pair of tabs projecting from the covermember about a port on of the frame piece; (c) directing optical fibercables through the cable entry aperture and against the flared cableguide surface of the cover member; and (d) after said step of directing,orienting the optical fiber cables within the continuous trough sectionand against the continuous curved wall.